The camping kitchen lets you bring your cooking to a whole new level. With a dedicated area to prepare food and cook, plus a way to keep your gear organized and clean, it’s the best car camping essential.
Most campsites have picnic tables, but a camp table that folds and packs down is ideal for your portable camp kitchen. You can find tables that offer extra space for your stove and utensils, or those with smart organizational features like storage compartments for spices, a wire rack for utensils, and a paper towel holder.
A collapsible sink is an excellent addition to any car camping kitchen. It’s easy to set up and packs down small, and you can use it to wash dishes and dispense water for drinking or cleaning.
To keep your hands clean, make sure to bring a bottle of hand sanitizer to wash before and after handling food and after using the bathroom. It’s also a good idea to pack a few damp towels or paper towels, such as the quick-drying microfiber towel from REI Co-op, for wiping down surfaces and drying off dishes.
Store your foods wisely to protect against animals and other critters that might be attracted to your camp. Matkin recommends a hard-sided cooler, like one from YETI or RovR Products, that’s bear-resistant and offers plenty of dividers to keep your food separated. You’ll also want to invest in a large garbage bag and a few resealable plastic containers for trash and leftovers.
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